According to Davao City vice Mayor Paolo Duterte, his father
President Rodrigo Duterte is a simple man and could not care less about public
recognition including honorary degree from schools.

Recently, Students and alumni of the University of the
Philippines have protested a proposal by the Board of Regents to confer an
honorary Doctor of Laws degree to President Duterte.

On Facebook, members of the UP community posted status
messages with the following format:

“I am [name], a graduate of [course in UP]. I am against the
conferment of an Honorary Law doctorate by the UP Board of Regents to President
Rodrigo Duterte.

“By giving honor to a man who challenges basic human
decency, discourages public dissent, promotes a culture of impunity, and lauds
extra-judicial killings, UP is taking a major step backward in upholding Honor
and Excellence.

Meanwhile, Paolo said his father is satisfied with being the
country’s leader and does not need such unwanted recognition.

“All throughout the years of his public life, President
Rodrigo Duterte has always shied away from public recognitions. He has always
been a simple man, satisfied with what he have and works hard to make a
difference not just for his family but for the Dabawenyos and now the Filipino
nation,” he said.

“Being elected as president is enough recognition. No other
recognition or honorary degrees could eclipse that,” he said.

“To the so-called learned individuals who frown upon the
plan of the University of the Philippines to grant an honorary doctorate degree
to the President, you can have that honorary degree for all we care,” he said.

Duterte thanked the UP Board of Regents for considering the
recognition for his father. ”Pero ok na akong papa as being the President of
the Republic of the Philippines,” he said.